A financial conflict of interest refers to a situation in which an investigator has private financial interests that may bias, or be perceived to bias, the design, conduct, or reporting of the investigator's research.

To guard against conflicts of interest, federal regulations, state laws, and University policies require all investigators to submit financial disclosures at the time that a research proposal is submitted, annually, when new interests are acquired and/or when new personnel are added to a project.

Under California State Law, the potential for a conflict of interest exists when a faculty member receives research funding from a company or other private entity AND s/he (or his/her spouse, domestic partner or child):

• Receives income or consulting fees over $500
• Has an investment (including stocks or options) in the company sponsor valued over $2000
• Serves as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or holds any other management position with that company
• Received personal gifts valued at $50 or more
• Has an outstanding loan with the company.

Under federal regulations, an investigator receiving research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, or National Science Foundation must disclose income over $10,000 annually or 5% equity ownership in any company whose work appears reasonably related to the proposed research.

Under UCSF policy, any investigator who participates in a privately sponsored clinical study may not concurrently receive any compensation from the sponsor, including honoraria and consulting fees, while the study is ongoing. Furthermore, an investigator may not have an investment in or serve in a decision-making capacity with the sponsor during the course of the study.

All disclosures are reviewed by the UCSF Chancellor’s Conflict of Interest Advisory Committee (COIAC), which may make recommendations to reduce, mitigate, or eliminate the conflict of interest.

For more information, see the Office of Research COIAC web page or contact Deanna Rutter.